Shipping Costs: FREE SHIPPING TO USA AND UK. Shipping to all other countries will be charged one flat rate for first item, additional books in the same order are shipped for no additional s/h charge.Availability: Usually Ships in 1 to 2 Business Days

Qty:

Description

Newsfeed

Book Reviews

NOW AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE! Steve McQueen: Le Mans in the Rearview Mirror by Don Nunley with Marshall Terrill

Let me say it right off the bat: the idea of writing an entire book on the making of Le Mans 45 years after the fact has me somewhat stymied. The fact that I'll be revisiting, reliving and delving into a movie that was a critical failure and box-office disappointment at the time of its release -- and a miserable experience for everyone involved, to boot (most especially its star, Steve McQueen, who called it “a bloodbath”) is strange, to say the least. But who am I to argue with pop culture history?

As it stands, Le Mans is the most discussed, debated, examined and beloved auto racing film of all time, which is absolutely mind-boggling if you go back and read all the initial reviews of the movie. But ask any motoring aficionado what is his favoring racing pic of all-time, and I guarantee you that nine times out of ten it will be Le Mans with an exclamation point.

So, who am I to speak with such authority on the topic? My name is Don Nunley, and I was the propmaster on Le Mans. While authors, documentary filmmakers, motoring scribes and racing enthusiasts have told and retold the story of Le Mans for decades – and for the most part they got right – I was actually right there as it all unfolded.

There was nothing positive to say about the 106-minute motion picture at the time we started making it in June 1970. Six months later when filming mercifully ended, there was no wrap party, no toasts, no grand farewells; everyone just quietly went away, thanking God their ordeal was finally over.

Steve McQueen was a real life racing fanatic, and Le Mans was supposed to be his cinematic dream come true. But the movie left him with bitter feelings and lasting emotional dents in his armor. There were conflicts with directors, personal excesses, budget woes, a war with the studio, a shutdown, months of delays, an unfortunate accident that left one driver without a leg, and rumors that the production company hushed up the death of a second unit crew member. In one fell swoop, McQueen ended a 15-year marriage, severed ties with his longtime agent and producing partners, did away with his production company and lost a personal fortune, not to mention control of the passion project he had planned to make for over a decade.

It has taken me years to understand and digest the complex phenomenon of Le Mans, which decades after its crash-landing at the box office and savaging by critics has finally found its vindication and the approbation its star dreamed of before things took such a wrong turn when the cameras started rolling. Steve McQueen would be blown away to see that Le Mans has left an indelible legacy in the auto racing world and movie industry.

Like the Le Mans adventure, the book is a bit of a wild ride, fast moving, adventurous and for most of us who are not students of Mr. McQueen, both surprising and often dismaying. The text is minimal but has a lot of impact; the photography is superb and makes up for the lack of text (we just wish Nunley had told us more). READ MORE >>TheNewsWheel.com ReviewBy Aaron Widmar
April 18, 2017

Nunley accomplishes what he sets out to do within the pages of Steve McQueen: Le Mans in the Rearview Mirror, encouraging readers to revisit the old film sets and gain a new understanding of the story behind the film—which, in my opinion, is more interesting than the movie itself. READ MORE >>Autoexpress.co.uk ReviewApril, 2017

Leonard Maltin ReviewMay, 2017

Don Nunley is a second-generation film industry professional, having worked as a property master, production designer, and set decorator. It was with mixed emotions that he decided to recall his work as prop master onLe Mans, as he explains in his candid introduction: “As it stands,Le Mansis the most discussed, debated, examined and beloved auto racing film of all time, which is mind-boggling if the initial reviews of the movie are read. But ask any motoring aficionado or petrol head what is their favorite racing movie of all time, and nine times out of ten it will beLe Manswith an exclamation point.” The disastrous behind-the-scenes story of the film has been told before, more than once (I’m thinking in particular ofNot So Quiet on the Set, the autobiography of Robert Relyea, who was Steve McQueen’s producing partner.) Even so, this book has its own story to tell and is uncommonly handsome, coming from a publisher that specializes in automotive subjects. Almost all the photos are in color and are sure to please racing fans. READ MORE >>

Author Biography

Don Nunley followed his father into the film industry in 1959. He has film credits as a property master, set decorator and production designer, and has been a member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences since 1977. In his 30 years on motion picture sets, he worked with Jack Lemmon, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, Gilda Radner, Richard Pryor, Gene Wilder, Robert DeNiro, and many other notable actors. Nunley also started the first product placement agency in Hollywood, working to get products into movies and TV shows. His company was responsible for E.T. drinking Coors beer, Tom Cruise wearing RayBan sunglasses for ”Top Gun” and “Risky Business,”and Robin Williams finding his first job in America at McDonald's in "Moscow Across the Hudson."

Nunley has been called upon to lecture at colleges, and on cruise ships. He also consults with Hollywood studios on product placement.

If you're a LeMans fan or what to know everything about McQueen's movie opus, this is it. I though that I had everything visually about this movie but turns out not even close. Stunning pictures and insider's perspective on the movie production. Don Nunley provides first hand knowledge of the film. Once again Marshall Terrill nails it

Was this review helpful to you?

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Le Mans in the Rearview Mirror

May 16, 2017

Reviewer:
Kevin Woeller from Toledo, OH United States

Fantastic book!!

Was this review helpful to you?

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

as speedy as a Ferrari

May 16, 2017

Reviewer:
Adam Marvin from San Leandro, CA United States

a book was ordered. ASAP, it was packed and shipped. True story!

Was this review helpful to you?

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

A welcome addition to LeMans & McQueen lore

April 23, 2017

Reviewer:
Major William Brown from Bedford, VA United States

Just when you thought you knew most everything about the movie LeMans and McQueen's involvement with it, comes this fine addition to what we thought we knew. I've got Michael Keyser's fine book on the subject and this new book by Nunley adds immeasurably to what we now know. I love the fact that the author pulls no punches with his opinions of what he personally observed on and off the set of the movie. I particularly like the fantastic Gulf Porsche light blue and orange design for the jacket of the book. I'm to the point now with my relationship with Dalton Watson Fine Books that if they publish it, I buy it. I can be 100% sure it will be a fine quality work of art- which the publishing industry should take note of.

Was this review helpful to you?

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Steve McQueen: LeMans in the Rearview Mirror

April 15, 2017

Reviewer:
Anthony Florio from Elmsford, NY United States

Great book, a very interesting look behind the scenes of an iconic man and movie that almost didn't get completed or released and that racing fans would have been the poorer for. Excellent job Don and Marshall, great photos and story. Dalton Watson publishes very excellent books, I'm looking forward to the Shadow story !!!